Mit - Index

Mit - UVK_Sinfo_2008_02February4 - Index

business and this work opened quite a few new viewpoints. One of
the more important innovations introduced by Boscarol and still in
use in his company is called production allocation. This means one
does not need a large production, since it can be divided among
several places, but one does organise the business, perform acceptance
tests, supervise quality and sell.
A TRADEMARK ADDS VALUE TO THE PROD-
UCT AND THE COMPANy
Since he was a little boy, he has been constructing model plane
and spending a lot of time at AjdovšËina airfield. Over the years, he
started to fly; however, time did not allow him to fly as much as he
truly wanted to. To his great pleasure, and actually for the further
development of the company, a novelty came on the market which
totally captured him and made him an addict. One’s own aircraft
machine that could be put on a car roof completely changed the
way he perceived aviation. He bought the first motor hang-glider
and freed himself from the local flying club. After several flights, he
wanted to improve the machine and the story of aviation actually
began with the first improvement to the motor hang-glider. Serial
production of motor hang-gliders started and in October 1987 he
officially became the first private aircraft manufacturer in Yugoslavia.
Thus he proved that the impossible was possible, that every aim
could be attained, only if set high enough not to let motivation fall.
Persuaded of the necessity to have his own trademark, he created
Pipistrel, since he already knew at the time that besides quality and
productivity, a trademark is something which gives and increases
the value of a product and company. The word pipistrel (in Latin
bat) became their trademark.
“WHATEVER I DO HAS TO bE THE bEST”
Immediately after the start-up, the hang-gliders were exported all
around the world. His motto is that whatever he does has to be the
best, so his hang-gliders began to set standards. They were the first
producers in the world whose hang-gliders were used by NATO.
Boscarol is aware that innovation in their products is the key for
such global attention. He believes the complementary innovations
contributing to the first innovation are important; however, even
more important and of key significance for success are revolutionary
innovations which really constitute a breakthrough. In that time,
the ultralight airplane turned up as a revolutionary innovation, being
the size of a larger plane, but belonging to a lower class and having
a closed cabin. The appearance of new, lighter materials only im-
21
ouRexCellenCe
proved production, and ideas started to be realised that had seemed
to be pure insanity until then. The innovation of the company, which
was on the covers of world magazines, was the construction of an
ultralight motorglider, meaning that one can glide or travel fast.
Suddenly, they had work to do for a few years ahead and the money
to finance further development. According to Boscarol, one can be
successful and quality; furthermore, vision, one’s own development,
one’s own trademark, an innovative product, motivated team, rational
production and one’s own market are indispensable.
DEVIATION fROM THE AVERAgE WAy Of
THINKINg IS ESSENTIAL fOR SUCCESS
When searching for innovations in the company we frequently
meet with disagreements, different opinions, which is normal and
welcome for a healthy team. More experience together may account
for a better result. When creating an innovation, Boscarol
always sticks to making sure the customers feel good, safe and
comfortable, since it is mostly not only about overcoming distances.
Their pleasure also ranks high, and at Pipistrel, they are well aware
of this, which is largely reflected in their products
WE AND NOT yOU ARE PIPISTREL
Development is extremely important for the company from
AjdovšËina, which is why they are building a new developmental
centre of 2,400 square metres, where the mere process of equipping
the laboratories will take two years. In this centre, all the
knowledge acquired in the long years of work and experience exchange
will be collected into one place. According to Boscarol, they
would like to create knowledge centres as Krka and Hidria have
done. Currently, they manufacture four models: one is produced
every four to five days; in addition, they are preparing two novel
aircraft and four types of motor hang-glider. In the last year, they
generated turnover of over four million euros, increased production
by 36 per cent and total sales by 32 per cent. Boscarol is aware how
important a satisfied and motivated team is for the company. The
worker’s satisfaction does not end with a good salary, but it is also
measured by willingly coming to work, having good working conditions,
being awarded for improvements and participating in the
profits. All this is reflected in the workers, who bear the company’s
name at every step. In addition, Mr Boscarol knows that the steps
of his employees reach farther than Europe. Thus, satisfaction and
a relaxed atmosphere count.
february 08 sinfo